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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2011
Healthy Tiger back on course MARVIN FONG/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/THE PLAIN DEALER
14-time major champion returns from injury to changed golf world 20 months since his last win Tiger Woods was on the practice range just as the sun began to rise yesterday over Firestone, his first time on a PGA Tour golf course in nearly three months. Even as the season heads toward a conclusion, Woods can’t wait to get started. Woods showed up at the Bridgestone Invitational at No. 28, his lowest world ranking since the start of his first full season on the PGA Tour. He has a new caddie — at least temporarily — in childhood friend Bryon Bell. For Woods, however, the biggest change is how he feels about his health. “The great thing is I don’t feel a thing,” Woods said. “It feels solid. It feels stable. No pain. “It’s been a very long time, and it feels good to go out there today ... go practise and feel nothing and walk around and pretty much do anything I want on the golf course.” Asked how long it has been since he felt so good physically, Woods replied, “Years.” It almost seems that long ago since he was last in action. Woods, who was No. 1
Tiger Woods tees off at the fourth hole during practice yesterday at Firestone Country Club.
“I’m excited to compete, to play. And, hopefully, to win the tournament.” TIGER WOODS
in the world a year ago, has not played since he walked off the course after nine holes May 12 at The Players Championship with recurring injuries to his left knee and Achilles tendon. Woods said he started hitting balls a couple of weeks ago and that he got the itch to start playing soon after. In the three months since he was gone, Rory McIlroy shattered his U.S. Open scoring record to par, and good friend Darren Clarke finally won a major at the British Open at age 42. Steve Stricker has won twice to become the highest-ranked American. Clarke is paired with Woods the first two rounds. “Tiger has been the best player in the world for a very long time,” Clarke said. “He has been the guy over my career that has set the benchmark for all the rest of us, and personally he’s a good friend of mine.”
4 sports Quoted
“Believe in yourself, which I’ve got no problem doing.” NEW YORK JETS COACH REX RYAN ON THE MEANING OF HIS NEW LEG TATTOO. THE TRIBAL-STYLE INK, WHICH RYAN GOT WHILE ON VACATION IN HAWAII LAST MONTH, CAUSED QUITE THE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Seniors – proof of age photo ID is required every time you use your Senior Metropass. The new Ontario Photo Card is now an option. You can also use a TTC Senior Photo Card or Ontario Driver’s License Photo ID.
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BUZZ MONDAY WHEN THE JETS REPORTED FOR TRAINING CAMP.